Residential Housing Master Plan

The University of Washington's Housing and Food Service division (HFS) had existed quietly alongside the rest of the Seattle campus until a new president challenged it to become a more visible element of the University experience. Hanbury worked with HFS to understand the projected housing capacity they would need over the next 20 years, evaluating current challenges, analyzing potential student markets, and evaluating available funds. A white paper, “Transformation of the Undergraduate Experience” was presented to the University leadership, assuring that HFS’s plans were in alignment with the University’s strategic goals.

Fundamental to the resulting 15-year plan was embracing the West Campus University District, a declining urban area of mixed-use and low-rise housing catering to students. The master plan also aligns an ambitious renovation and new construction agenda with financial viability, scheduling, and budgets. The resulting vision depicts a thriving student community adding new retail and 3,500 new student beds.

The University has already completed the plan, transforming the student experience, and is now focusing resources on the aging residences on the north campus.